Class B Semi-Finals: Bennington at Waverly Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🏈 Semifinals Rematch: #1 Waverly Hosts #5 Bennington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​In a highly anticipated Class B State Semifinal rematch, the undefeated (11-0) Waverly Warriors will host the Bennington (9-2) Badgers. The winner advances to the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​This matchup is a rerun of Week 1, where Waverly barely held off Bennington, winning by just two points on their home field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​This close initial loss is a crucial detail, especially considering Bennington's only other defeat this season was also by a two-point margin on the road against Elkhorn North. Bennington later earned a dominant opportunity for revenge in the state tournament, avenging that loss two weeks ago by an emphatic 35 points (winning 42-7).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​The question now is whether the Badgers can replicate that massive turnaround and flip the script on Waverly in this do-or-die semifinal clash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have balanced attacks (<strong>Waverly 197.5 yds. passing per game / 189.3 yds. rush per game; Bennington 196.6 / 217</strong>). <strong>Key to watch: the run game.</strong> Waverly held Bennington to just 100 yards in their victory in week one. Bennington avenged their regular season loss to Elkhorn North last week rushing for 244 yards. Will Waverly stop the run again, or will Bennington get their ground game going?!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waverly</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB: Brockston Teply (Jr) 6'4" 205 lbs. 2,093 pass yds., 22 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='488222' first='Nathan' last='Axmann'] (Sr) 6' 170 lbs. 1,524 rush yds., 23 TD, 265 receiving yds., 2 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR/CB: Gavin McMillan (Jr) 6'2" 185 lbs. 448 receiving yds., 5 TD, 1 rush TD, 5 int.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB: Ty Bouaphakeo (Jr) 5'11" 200 lbs. 2,135 pass yds, 28 TD, 863 rush yds, 11 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1085199' first='Will' last='Gutz'] (Jr) 6' 185 lbs. 992 rush yd, 12 TD, 115 receiving yds, 1 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1870068' first='Jake' last='Russell'] (Sr) 6'3" 170 lbs. 759 receiving yds, 12 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1699284' first='Brett' last='Langan'] (Jr) 6'3" 240 lbs. 49 pancake blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1114445' first='Charlie' last='Swoboda'] (Sr) 6'1" 245 lbs. 48 pancake blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: Jacob Sanger (Sr) 5'11" 160 lbs. 102 tackles (35 solo), 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 int, 2 PD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1270806' first='Cole' last='Miller'] (Sr) 6'1" 210 lbs. 86 tackles (36 solo), 10.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 int, 5 PD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->